How to Make Soy Wax Candles
Step 1: Choose the Right
Soy wax is simply hydrogenated soybean oil and the best application for soy wax is in container candles. When using soy wax it is important to note that there are definitely performance and appearance differences between paraffin wax and soy wax.
Soy wax basics
- Generally soy wax candles have a “flat” or pastel shade to the candle. This can play well to the scents used. In the fall nothing is better than harvest colors and fragrances.
- Soy wax requires more dye to get to the desired color.
- It is as close to a one pour wax as exists. It still requires topping off if poured too hot or if the container is too large.
- Pouring temperatures have less impact on the finished candle than paraffin waxes.
- Depending on the scent load, no additives will be needed in most instances.
Making votives and pillars with a natural wax? We recommend a soy/palm blend. The issue with using all soy wax for freestanding candles is generally they are too brittle and do not burn well due to high hydrogenation. Blends have more “structure” and are not as brittle.
Step 2: Selecting Scents
When making natural candles any one of the 160 fragrances we offer is suitable including Ultimate scents, standard fragrances, and our various scents on sale. With the natural based waxes, it is important that you do not to go over the recommended scent usage. Too much scent can impact the set up of the candle.
| Maximum Scent Usage |
| Soy 120 — 3% |
| S1 — 6% |
| PS — 6% |
Step 3: Coloring Your Natural Candle
For smaller batches and color consistency the color buttons are the way to go. There are many tremendous colors including white and black. Due to the opacity of the natural waxes, it will always be necessary to add more color than generally used when using paraffin wax. The liquid dyes could also be considered because of the amount of dye needed.
Step 4: Working With Wicks
With natural waxes, it is important to use wicks that have the proper treatment. The RRD wicks and HTP wicks will work in any of the natural waxes. The proper wick will depend on which natural wax you are using and the diameter of the candle. Candlewic will always provide samples for you to test burn.
Step 5: Shaping and Containers
If using the Soy 120 or the S1 wax any of Candlewic’s Glassware will work. For the PS wax, any of the molds we offer will work. This would include the aluminum, votive, and polyurethane molds.
Step 6: Make Your Soy Candle
Gather all the materials and equipment that you’ll need and remember to always follow the Safety Guidelines and General Instructions.
I always have a hard time knowing how much scent to add. Once it smells like enough in melted wax, it doesn’t always have enough scent when the candle burns. How do you know amounts?
Most people start with 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax. Then move up from there.